56

PHIN

With Viviana finally safe, the weight of the past few days dissolved in the quiet of the night. Marilee was spending the night with Morna, leaving Viviana and me alone for the first time. The house felt strangely still, with only the distant croaks of frogs and the gentle rustle of the bayou breaking the silence.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her long chestnut hair flowing over her shoulders. The soft glow from the lamp bathed her in warm light, making her seem almost ethereal. I took a deep breath and joined her, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and fear.

“Do you mind if I mark you, Viv?” I asked, the weight of the request heavy in my chest. “I need to know because... when we have sex, I might not be able to control myself. I need to do it right.”

Her eyes widened briefly before she looked down, biting her lower lip. “You can,” she whispered, but I noticed the way she fidgeted, her shoulders tense at the mention of sex.

I reached out and trailed my fingers along h